Superstorm Sandy inspires Bay Ridge composer

Composing music by ear is bringing a Brooklyn pianist worldwide recognition.

Tanya Dartson, of Bay Ridge, says she could not get to work in Manhattan Beach during Superstorm Sandy, so she sat down at her keyboard and composed "Escape from Planet Earth" entirely by ear. It is written for a full symphony orchestra.

"It just felt like the end of the Earth for me that day, it just felt like just an epic, powerful composition for me," she said.

She entered "Escape from Planet Earth" in the Maurice Ravel International Composition Competition. Now, she is one of 15 finalists worldwide, and the only woman.